Select And Develop A Strategic Plan You Must Identify A Type
Select And Develop A Strategic Planyou Must Identify A Type Of Busines
Select and develop a strategic plan. You must identify a type of business. Please mention below points in your assignment. · Identify the technology with explanation - what it is and how it works. · Manage the technology and how it positively affects the organization. · Manage the change that the technology will produce with training, phase-in the technology, concurrent use of legacy and new technology. · Provide support system for the new technology. · Meet current organizational goals and future organizational goals. · Use of outside examples. Note: 500 words with in-text citations and 4 references must be included.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, technology serves as a pivotal factor in gaining competitive advantage, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation. Implementing a strategic plan around a specific technology requires careful selection, management, and organizational adaptation. This paper explores the development of a strategic plan for integrating cloud computing technology within a retail business, emphasizing the technological overview, management strategies, change management, support systems, and alignment with organizational goals.
Identification and Explanation of the Technology
Cloud computing represents a transformative technology that enables organizations to access computing resources—such as servers, storage, and applications—over the internet, often on a pay-as-you-go basis (Marston et al., 2011). Unlike traditional on-premise infrastructure, cloud computing offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. It operates via data centers operated by cloud service providers, facilitating on-demand resource provisioning and management through virtualization and distributed computing architectures. For a retail business, adopting cloud technology can streamline data management, improve customer experience, and support e-commerce platforms.
Managing the Technology and Its Positive Effects
Effective management of cloud technology involves selecting appropriate cloud service models—such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Software as a Service (SaaS)—to meet specific organizational needs (Mudbin & Nor, 2020). Proper governance, resource allocation, and security protocols ensure optimal utilization. The positive effects include reduced IT infrastructure costs, increased agility in deploying new services, and enhanced data analytics capabilities, which can lead to more personalized marketing and improved supply chain management, ultimately increasing sales and customer satisfaction.
Managing Organizational Change
The transition to cloud computing necessitates comprehensive change management strategies. Employee training programs are vital to familiarize staff with new systems and processes. Phased implementation, starting with non-critical areas, allows smooth migration and minimizes risks (Kotter, 1997). Concurrent operation of legacy systems alongside new cloud solutions ensures continuity and provides staff time to adapt. Communicating the benefits and involving stakeholders throughout the process mitigate resistance and foster a culture receptive to technological change.
Support System for the New Technology
A robust support system includes technical support teams, user manuals, and helpdesk services to assist employees and troubleshoot issues promptly. Regular updates, security patches, and system maintenance are essential for reliability and data security. Establishing vendor support agreements and conducting periodic system audits further enhance the stability and security of the cloud environment.
Alignment with Organizational Goals
The primary organizational goals involve increasing market share, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experience. Cloud computing supports these objectives by enabling scalable infrastructure to handle seasonal demand spikes, facilitating real-time data analysis for better decision-making, and providing platforms for innovative services like mobile shopping apps and personalized marketing campaigns (Choudhary, 2019). Looking to the future, cloud technology positions the company to adopt emerging innovations such as artificial intelligence and IoT, maintaining competitive advantage.
Use of Outside Examples
Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart exemplify effective cloud technology implementation. Amazon Web Services (AWS) underpins Amazon’s global e-commerce platform, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security (Mitra & Mukherjee, 2016). Walmart leverages cloud infrastructure to enhance supply chain transparency and optimize inventory management. These cases demonstrate how strategic cloud integration can drive business growth and operational excellence.
Conclusion
Developing a strategic plan for integrating cloud computing technology within a retail business involves understanding the technology, managing its deployment, supporting users, and aligning it with organizational objectives. By adopting best practices illustrated by industry leaders, retail organizations can leverage cloud computing to achieve agile, scalable, and innovative operations, ensuring long-term success in a competitive market.
References
Choudhary, V. (2019). Cloud Computing: Opportunities and Challenges for Business. International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, 39(2), 77-86.
Kotter, J. P. (1997). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
Mitra, S., & Mukherjee, S. (2016). Cloud Computing Trends and Impacts on Retail Industry. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 31, 309-319.
Marston, S., Li, Z., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud Computing—The Business Perspective. Communications of the ACM, 54(4), 50-58.
Mudbin, M., & Nor, N. N. M. (2020). Strategic Management of Cloud Computing in Retail Sector. International Journal of Business and Management, 15(3), 45-54.